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Seeker Chatterz

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Officially known by the rather prosaic name of the Richat Structure, this mysterious structure came to the attention of early space missions because of its out-of-place appearance in the middle of the Sahara desert.
A giant circular depression 30 miles across, it was originally thought to have been caused by a meteorite strike but may in fact be a geological formation exposed by erosion.

The Great Blue Hole, Belize

You can’t have failed to notice the 40th anniversary of the Moon landings last month, the only time man has set foot on another world and possibly our greatest achievement.

But there are places on earth so remote, so strange, so alien in fact that a visitor could be forgiven for thinking that they had left the safe confines of Planet Earth...

This natural sinkhole lies 60 miles off the coast of the Central American country of Belize. Formed when sea levels were much lower, it was originally a limestone cave.

As sea levels rose, the cave collapsed, leaving a hole more than 300 metres across and 125 metres deep. Jacques Cousteau declared it one of the best dive sites in the world.

The Wave (Utah/Arizona Boarder)

The Jurassic Navajo Sandstone Formation is the foundation of Coyote Buttes (and the Wave). Nearly 200 million years ago, this region was a sandy desert where huge dunes migrated across the landscape pushed by seasonal winds. Prevailing winds of that ancient Jurassic time can be determined by examining the cross-bedding (layers) in the sandstone. What we see today are some of the original crossbedded dunes shaped into dramatic landforms and exposed by erosion from eons of runoff. The spectacular ribbons of various colors called Liesegang Bands, were formed by movement and precipitation of oxidizing materials such as iron and manganese by ground water. Thin veins or fins of calcite cut across the sandstone, adding another dimension to the landscape. (Source: Bureau of Land Management display at the Wave trailhead.)

The soft sandstone of The Wave is fragile, one needs to walk carefully to not break the small ridges

The door to Hell in Uzbekistan

This place in Uzbekistan is called by locals "The Door to Hell". It is situated near the small town of Darvaz. The story of this place lasts already for 35 years. Once the geologists were drilling for gas. Then suddenly during the drilling they have found an underground cavern, it was so big that all the drilling site with all the equipment and camps got deep deep under the ground.

None dared to go down there because the cavern was filled with gas. So they ignited it so that no poisonous gas could come out of the hole, and since then, it's burning, already for 35 years without any pause. Nobody knows how many tons of excellent gas has been burned for all those years but it just seems to be infinite there.

The Creepy Aokigahara forest in Japan

Aokigahara is a woodland at the base of Mount Fuji in Japan. Also called the Sea of Trees. It is the most popular place to commit suicide in the whole Japan. More than 500 people have taken their own lives in Aokigahara since the 1950s. For, example 78 bodies were found there in 2002. The trend has supposedly started after Seicho Matsumoto published his novel Kuroi Kaiju (Black Sea of Trees) where two of his characters commit suicide there. But already in the 19th century poor farmers went to this forest to commit suicide, because they thought their children would have more food to eat then.

Every week police makes a raid in the forest looking for new bodies.

Lake Nyos in Cameroon

The exact cause of the gas release at Lake Nyos is still unresolved. One theory is that a small confined area of the lake released gas allowing for the stratification in Lake Nyos to remain (Kanari, 1989). Another theory describes a slow influx of heat into the system causing instability (Kling, 1989). A landslide within the lake is another possible explanation for the displacement of the bottom CO2 saturated layers in Lake Nyos. Evidence of water surges on the southern shore of the lake suggest a possible seiche motion of the lake waters (Kanari, 1989). In all situations, the possibility of a volcanic injection is ruled out. High concentrations of reduced iron were found in Lake Nyos, the presence of which cannot be explained by the possibility of a volcanic injection into the lake (Kling, 1989). In general, a gradual heating from below the lake is widely accepted as the cause for rollover and or gas release.

Aurora Borealis (North Pole)

Auroras sometimes called the northern and southern (polar) lights or aurorae are natural beautiful light displays in the sky, usually observed at night, particularly in the polar regions. They typically occur in the ionosphere. The Cree people call this phenomenon the “Dance of the Spirits. Its southern counterpart, the aurora australis or the southern polar lights, has similar properties, but is only visible from high southern latitudes in Antarctica, South America, or Australasia.

The Bermuda Triangle

The Bermuda Triangle, also known as the Devil’s Triangle, is a region in the western part of the North Atlantic Ocean in which a number of aircraft and surface vessels are alleged to have mysteriously disappeared in a manner that cannot be explained by human error, piracy, equipment failure, or natural disasters. Popular culture has attributed these disappearances to the paranormal, a suspension of the laws of physics, or activity by extraterrestrial beings. Apparently it doesn’t seem alien but it is really scary!

Spain Rio Tinto

The vast mines of Rio Tinto give a hypnagogic, almost martian landscape. Its growth has consumed not only mountains and valleys but even entire villages. This river has gained recent scientific interest due to the presence of extremophile aerobic bacteria that dwell in the water.The extreme conditions in the river are analogous to other locations in the solar system thought to contain liquid water, such as subterranean Mars. Río Tinto is notable for being very acidic (pH 2) and its deep reddish hue. It is metal solvent and surely not human-friendly!

Rotorua, New Zealand

Rotorua is a city on the southern shores of the lake of the same name, in the Bay of Plenty region of the North Island of New Zealand. Rotorua city is renowned for its unique “rotten eggs” aroma, which is caused by the geothermal activity releasing sulphur compounds into the atmosphere. Geothermal activity is at the heart of much of Rotorua’s tourist appeal. Geysers and bubbling mud-pools, hot thermal springs and the Buried Village (Te Wairoa) – are within easy reach of the city.This thermal activity owes itself to the Rotorua caldera on which the city lies. Waters of ivid colors, from yellow to orange to green which is partially possible to visit it.

Socotra Island (Indian Ocean)

This island simply blows away any notion about what is considered “normal” for a landscape on Earth, you’d be inclined to think you were transported to another planet - or traveled to another era of Earth’s history. Socotra Island, which is part of a group of four islands, has been geographically isolated from mainland Africa for the last 6 or 7 million years. Like the Galapagos Islands, the island is teeming with 700 extremely rare species of flora and fauna, a full 1/3 of which are endemic.

The climate is harsh, hot and dry, and yet - the most amazing plant life thrives there. Situated in the Indian Ocean 250 km from Somalia and 340 km from Yemen, the wide sandy beaches rise to limestone plateaus full of caves (some 7 kilometers in length) and mountains up to 1525 meters high. The trees and plants of this island were preserved thru the long geological isolation, some varieties being 20 million years old.

Spotted Lake, Osoyoos, British Columbia

Spotted Lake is a saline endorheic alkali lake located northwest of Osoyoos in British Columbia. In the summer, most of the water in the lake evaporates leaving behind all the minerals. Large “spots” on the lake appear and depending on the mineral composition at the time, the spots will be different colors. The spots are made mainly of magnesium sulfate, which crystallizes in the summer. Since in the summer, only the minerals in the lake remain, they harden to form natural “walkways” around and between the spots.

Emerald Lakes inTongariro National Park

The Tongariro Alpine Crossing track passes over varied and spectacular volcanic terrain. In the presence of active volcanoes you can experience some of Tongariro National Park's special gifts. A cold mountain spring, lava flows, an active crater, steam vents, emerald-coloured lakes and magnificent views combine to make this an enjoyable and memorable trip. (Alert/Important notice:Ice and Snow. Ice axe and crampons and winter alpine experience are required. You will need to check avalanche reports before you attempt this trek.

Pamukkale, Cotton castle in Turkish

In Turkish the name literally means Cotton Castle and it is easy to see why it was given that. Yet this geological wonder is also the site of the ancient city of Hierapolis and over the centuries the two have seemed to come together, merged almost, in to one. In fact some of the old tombs in the city's necropolis have beome part of landscape - literally.

The site itself is a series of travertines and hot springs. The travertines here have a concentric appearance and are almost sheer white giving the area an ethereal, other worldly appearance. The hot springs precipitate calcium carbonate at their mouths and produce the strange almost organic looking structures.

Cano Cristales Columbia

A unique biological wonder, Caño Cristales has been referred as the "river of five colors," "the river that ran away from paradise," and "the most beautiful river in the world." For most of the year, Caño Cristales is indistinguishable from any other river: a bed of rocks covered in dull green mosses are visible below a cool, clear current. However, for a brief period of time every year, the river blossoms in a vibrant explosion of colors. During the short span between the wet and dry seasons, when the water level is just right, a unique species of plant that lines the river floor called Macarenia clavigera turns a brilliant red. It is offset by splotches of yellow and green sand, blue water, and a thousand shades in between.

Mount Roraima (Venezuela, Brazil and Guyana)

Since long before the arrival of European explorers, the mountain has held a special significance for the indigenous people of the region, and it is central to many of their myths and legends It is a pretty remarkable place. It is a tabletop mountain with sheer 400-metre high cliffs on all sides. There is only one ‘easy’ way up, on a natural staircase-like ramp on the Venezuelan side – to get up any other way takes and experienced rock climber. On the top of the mountain it rains almost every day, washing away most of the nutrients for plants to grow and creating a unique landscape on the bare sandstone surface.

Mokolea Lava Pools, Hawaii

During the summer months, be sure to stop by these beautiful coastal tide pools on the Mokolea peninsula. Access the peninsula from Kilauea by taking Wailape Road halfway between mile markers 21 and 22 off Hwy 56. Drive along the smooth dirt road down to Kilauea Bay and park at the end of the road. Walk across through the stream and head down the right side of the beach for ½ mile hike. This area is best accessed during the calmer summer months and at low tide so you have the benefit of seeing the pools not being pounded by high surf.

Along the hike, you will see wonderful tide pools, filled with fish and sea creatures. Old discarded parts from the sugar mill industry have been dumped in this area and are now a part of the landscape. During low surf, you will see a series of wonderful lava pools. Some are even large enough to swim in if you feel like it after your hike to the area. At the end of the trail, the water crashes dramatically into a trench in the sea cliff that is well worth a photo or two. Be careful not to get too close as the rocks can be slippery and some of the waves will create a bigger spray than you might have anticipated.

Fly Geyser – Reno

Fly Ranch features two geysers, one of which is dormant. The other, Fly Geyser, was accidentally formed by a water well drill that hit a geothermal source, and continuously sprays hot water. Fly Ranch is private property and does not allow visitors.

Salar de Uyuni (Bolivia)

Bolivia's Salar de Uyuni is perhaps one of the most spectacular landscapes in the world. A magnificent area with an impressive salt desert (the world's largest), active volcanoes, tall cacti islands and geyser flats, it exists like an alien mirage, something completely out-of-this-world. Oddee's crew went there in July 2008.

Vale da Lua (Brazil)

Vale da Lua (Moon Valley) is a water eroded rock formation with natural swimming pools, placed on a river in the brazilian cerrado forest. Located at Chapada, 38 km from Alto Paraíso de Goiás, it’s rock formations are one of the oldest on the planet, made of quartz with outcrops of crystals.

Cave of the giant crystals, Mexico

Guaranteed to make you feel like you’re on the set of the Incredible Shrinking Man, this cave in Chihuahua contains the largest crystals known to man.
Made of the mineral Selenite, the crystals are 500,000 years old and the largest is 11 metres long, four metres in diameter and weighs 55 tonnes.

Blood Pond hot spring in Beppu, Japan

Blood Pond Hot Spring is one of the "hells" (jigoku) of Beppu, Japan, nine spectacular natural hot springs that are more for viewing rather than bathing. The “blood pond hell” features a pond of hot, red water, colored as such by iron in the waters. It’s allegedly the most photogenic of the nine hells

Dry Valleys (Antartica)

Antarctica's Dry Valleys, with their barren gravel-strewn floors, are said to be the most similar place on Earth to Mars. Its fascinating landscape, located within Victoria Land west of McMurdo Sound, get almost no snowfall, and except for a few steep rocks they are the only continental part of Antarctica devoid of ice. The terrain looks like something not of this Earth; the valley’s floor occasionally contains a perennially frozen lake with ice several meters thick. Under the ice, in the extremely salty water, live mysterious simple organisms, a subject of on-going research.

Midway Geyser, Yellowstone National Park

Grand Prismatic Spring is almost 370 feet in diameter and is on top of a large mound with step-like terraces around it. This is the largest hot spring in North America. Rainbow colors and the steam reflecting them will greet you when you come to see this sight.

EXCELSIOR GEYSER

Temperature 199°F Dimensions 276x328 feet. Excelsior was once the largest geyser in the world. However, the last known major eruptions occurred during the 1880s, when there were numerous eruptions up to 300 feet. The violent eruptions of the 1880s may have caused damage to the siliceous sinter lining, allowing gas leakage and the loss of thermal energy. No observed eruptions were known until 1985 when it erupted for two days. However, it only obtained a height of 20-80 feet. Since its eruptive activity in the 1880s, Excelsior is now a productive thermal spring, presently discharging 4050 gallons per minute. Numerous vents boil and churn the water within the crater, covering it in a dense layer of steam.